Smithfield Foods commitment to renewable energy is showing tangible results according to the company. During the past several years, the company has been monitoring scientific advancements that have removed barriers to efficiently and sustainably create renewable energy from agricultural waste, in particular the use of anaerobic digestion processes that covert decomposing organic matter, such as hog manure, into renewable energy. …
Sustainable Poplar Plantation Provides Biofuels Biomass
The GreenWood Tree Farm Fund, LP (GTFF), managed by GreenWood Resources, has become the first short rotation forest plantation worldwide to earn certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The RSB certification covers GTFF’s cultivation, management and harvesting of coppiced poplar trees, used as biomass feedstock for the cellulosic ethanol industry or pelletized for direct combustion in biomass electric …
Elevance Moves Forward with Natchez Biorefinery
Elevance Renewable Sciences is moving forward with the development of its biorefinery in Natchez, Mississippi and has selected URS Corporation to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services. The company says it is on track to meet customer forecasts for its Inherent renewable building blocks in 2016. “URS is a natural partner for us, and we’re looking forward to working …
BioEnergy Bytes
RMD has become a gold sponsor of the Wind Energy Summit South Africa taking place April 9-10, 2014 in Cape Town. During this industry meeting, RMB will share their experience of successful financing during the round one development at Hopefield wind farm. The summit brings together the key decision makers of South African wind, including the National Treasury and the …
Georgia Biodiesel Maker Installs Shockwave Reactor
A Georgia biodiesel maker has installed a reactor that the system’s builder says will transesterify vegetable or animal fats in just seconds. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says World Energy in Rome, Ga., has put in the Hydro Dynamics Inc. ShockWave Power Reactor (SPR) BD 50 at the 50 million gallon a year refinery. “Harnessing the power of cavitation, the …
REG Making $13.2 Million Upgrade to Biodiesel Plant
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REG) is making a $13.2 million improvement to one of its Iowa biodiesel plants. The Ames, Iowa-based biodiesel giant, already the country’s biggest producer of the green fuel, broke ground on the improvements at its Newton biodiesel refinery. “This investment shows our continuing confidence in biodiesel for the long-term,” said Daniel J. Oh, President and CEO …
We Have A Farm Bill!
Today the U.S. Senate voted 68-32 to pass the 2014 farm bill after years of work by both Agriculture Committees. The House passed its version of a conference bill Jan. 29, and now the farm bill goes to President Obama’s desk. The President is expected to sign the bill into law. The Agricultural Act of 2014 expands bio-energy production, supporting …
Ormat Completes Kenyan Oklaria III Geothermal Plant
Ormat Technologies has successfully completed construction and reached commercial operation of Plant 3 in the Olkaria III geothermal power plant complex located in Naivasha, Kenya. With Plant 3 online, the complex’s total generation capacity has increased to 110 MW. The power generated by the Olkaria III is sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kenya Power and Lighting …
BioEnergy Bytes
Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB), has resigned to take a position with the U.S. Soybean Export Council. According to Mark Cobb, a biodiesel producer and petroleum distributor who serves as IBB Chair, Olson’s efforts leave the biodiesel industry in Iowa stronger. ROUSH CleanTech has hired Ford Motor Company veteran Rob Stevens as its new vice …
Louis Dreyfus Purchases ICM SMT Technology
Louis Dreyfus Commodities has signed a contract to purchase two Selective Milling Technologies (SMT) from ICM. The systems will be installed at Louis Dreyfus Commodities Grand Junction, LLC, located in Grand Junction, Iowa, and Elkhorn Valley Ethanol, LLC, located in Norfolk, Nebraska. According to ICM, SMT is a value-added technology that increases ethanol yield, reduces viscosity and increases oil recovery. …